To Montgomery County Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey on being recognized as a “Woman of Distinction” by the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia. Bradford-Grey, who was honored during a ceremony at the Lowes Hotel in Philadelphia on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is the first female African American woman to head a department in Montgomery County and is the first African American chief public defender in the county’s history.

To Montgomery County Sheriff Eileen Whalon Behr and the entire Montgomery County Sheriff’s department on once again receiving accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, which spent two days evaluating the department’s procedures and regulations. Preparing for the accreditation process is rigorous process and we applaud the department for coming through with flying colors.

To the Centre Square Fire Company on its 100 year anniversary. The company was founded in 1913, like so many other companies, after members of the community got together to discuss the need for a fire company, and Centre Square was launched with 35 volunteers. We cannot express to our readers enough just how lucky we all are to have dedicated men and women willing to volunteer their time to protect our homes and businesses.

To, speaking of fire companies, state Rep. Kate Harper for securing $100,000 in state grants to help those volunteers do their greatly appreciated jobs. Several volunteer fire companies, as well as ambulance companies, in our area will benefit from the grant money. Our volunteers deserve the best equipment possible to continue with their life saving missions and we salute Rep. Harper for helping ensure they’re getting the equipment and resources they need.